Torquemada refers to Tomás de Torquemada, a Spanish Dominican friar who served as the first Grand Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition from 1483 to 1498. He is known for his role in enforcing religious orthodoxy in Spain, targeting converted Jews and Muslims suspected of heresy. His tenure is marked by the use of torture and execution to root out dissent. Torquemada's actions contributed to the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492, as many were forced to convert to Christianity or face persecution. His legacy is often associated with intolerance and the suppression of religious freedom during the Renaissance period.